Hearing aid transducer support

Abstract

A support for input and output transducers of a hearing aid is implanted in the middle ear. The support, which is attached to the mastoid bone, can be a single component or comprise two adjustable components. In one embodiment, an arm extends from the proximal end of the support towards an access hole created behind the outer ear, where the arm is attached for further stability. In another embodiment, the arm extends outside the access hole, where it is mounted subcutaneously to the mastoid bone with a mechanical fastener. The support provides positional adjustability, stability, and is invisible externally. The support can be a single bracket. The transducers are connected to an electronics unit. The electronics can be programmed or reprogrammed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A support system for mounting a transducer within a middle ear into engagement with an ossicular element, the support system comprising: a bracket shaped for implantation within the middle ear, said bracket having a portion with an opening therein suitable for receipt of a bone attachment mechanism, and a transducer attaching portion for attaching a portion of a transducer to the bracket so that another portion of the transducer is engageable with an ossicular element; and   a bone attachment mechanism sized for placement through the bracket opening and engagement with a portion of the bracket for affixing the bracket to the mastoid bone, the location of the transducer attaching portion with respect to the bone attachment mechanism being adjustable.   
     
     
       2. The support system of claim 1 wherein the bone attachment mechanism is a bone screw which passes through the opening in the bracket. 
     
     
       3. An implantable hearing system for mounting within a middle ear, the system comprising: an adjustable bracket shaped for implantation within the middle ear, said bracket having a portion with an opening therein suitable for receipt of a bone attachment mechanism therethrough and a transducer attaching portion for attachment of a transducer thereto so that a portion of the transducer is also positionable for direct engagement with an ossicular element;   a transducer coupled to said bracket at the transducer attaching portion;   a bone attachment mechanism sized for use with the bracket opening for affixing the bracket to the mastoid bone, the position of the transducer with respect to the bone attachment mechanism being adjustable; and   an electronics unit electrically coupled to the transducer.   
     
     
       4. The implantable hearing system of claim 3, in which the transducer inputs a signal to the electronics unit. 
     
     
       5. The implantable hearing system of claim 3, in which the electronics unit outputs a signal to the transducer. 
     
     
       6. The implantable hearing system of claim 3 further comprising a programmer communicatively coupled to the electronics unit. 
     
     
       7. The implantable hearing system of claim 3 wherein the bone attachment mechanism is a bone screw which passes through the opening in the bracket. 
     
     
       8. The implantable hearing system of claim 7 wherein the bracket further includes a universal joint located between a portion of the bracket and the transducer to adjust a position of the transducer relative to a portion of the bracket. 
     
     
       9. The support system of claim 1 wherein the bracket further includes a universal joint located on a portion of the bracket between the opening for the bone attachment mechanism and the transducer attaching portion, the universal joint comprising means for adjusting the position of the transducer attaching portion relative to the opening. 
     
     
       10. An implantable hearing system for mounting within a middle ear, the system comprising: an adjustable bracket, which is generally L-shaped in use, for implantation within the middle ear, said bracket having a portion with an elongate opening therein suitable for receipt of a bone attachment mechanism therethrough and a transducer attaching portion for attachment of a transducer thereto so that a portion of the transducer is also positionable for direct engagement with an ossicular element;   a transducer coupled to said bracket at the transducer attaching portion using a universal joint to allow adjustment of the transducer relative to the bracket;   a bone attachment mechanism sized for use with the bracket opening for affixing the bracket to the mastoid bone, the position of the transducer with respect to the bone attachment mechanism being adjustable due to the positioning of the bone attachment mechanism within the elongate opening; and   an electronics unit electrically coupled to the transducer.   
     
     
       11. The implantable hearing system of claim 10 wherein the bracket further includes a universal joint located between the bracket elongate opening and the bracket transducer attaching portion to provide means for further adjustment of a position of the transducer relative to a portion of the bracket.